Age Means Nothing

Gloria Gaynor reappears in Houston as the Summer National Senior Games igniteDiscovery Green

Designed by Ward and Ames Special Events, the cauldron draws its form from theshooting stars that encircle the 2011 Senior Games logo. The six-foot-wide,25-foot-tall bowl was engineered by Haynes Whaley Associates, Inc. and built ofpowder-coated steel by the Fretz Construction Company.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Gloria Gaynor peformed "I Will Survive"
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Harry Pepper holds the torch above his head.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Harry Pepper and Kay Glenn come into the park with the torch.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Harry Pepper and Kay Glenn exult after lighting the cauldron to herald the startof the Senior Games.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Spokane Sparx (women softball team ages 50 - 54): Gary McGlasson (coach), left,Colleen Dewitt, Marcia Bertholf, Rebecca Nielsen. They won the bronze medal inthe last Senior Games.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Senior athletes, from left, Debbie Trebotich (basketball, horseshoe andbadminton); Majorie Webb (basketball and badminton); Emma "Scottie" Scott(badminton).
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Ezra Charles also performed at the caldron lighting ceremony.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Bowling team, from left, Margie Kegerreis, Rose Roylo, Beverly Moss, GwenCarlson, Bill Kegerreis
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Gloria Gaynor got the crowd to sing along.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
An oversized screen televised the action.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
The crowd began gathering before dark.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Harry Pepper, Peggy McClure
photo by Adolfo Chavez III
The cauldron will be given to the city of Houston after the Senior Games endJune 30.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III

The city's sports community came out in full force on Thursday evening for the arrival of the 2011 Summer National Senior Games' torch at Discovery Green. The spirited ceremony boasted a cameo by Gloria Gaynor, who applauded the participants, saying, "I want to commend all the athletes. We have to lead by example to show younger generations the importance of health." The diva is an avid supporter of medical initiatives, including the American Diabetes Association and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. After developing osteoarthritis of the knee, she worked with Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. to produce a slew of exercise videos entitled, "W.A.K.E. Up & Flex."

During a "howdy partner" address by Dana Brown, chair of the games' Board of Directors, the flame was likened to the passion of the participating athletes.

Two of those athletes, Harry Pepper and Kay Glynn, stole the show. A baseball and football player in high school, 100-year-old Pepper has biked and bowled his way to the top of the Senior Games. A bonafide bowler since 1939, he boasts a high score of 220. His tip? Aim for the head pin.

Helping Pepper carry the torch to completion was Glynn, 58, who has competed since age 51, amassing medals in track and field, pole vault and high jump. Glynn and Pepper's display of athletic ferocity was followed by a post-torch-lighting fireworks extravaganza that would put any Fourth of July celebration to shame.

The torch relay launched on June 8 at the Johnson Space Center, with Apollo 7 astronaut Walt Cunningham carrying the torch on its journey across Texas. Before its Discovery Green entrance, the torch whizzed by the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi under the watchful gaze of retired USS Lexington captain and Senior Games athlete F.W. "Rocco" Montesano. After that, the torch was passed along San Antonio's Riverwalk and Alamo, Lady Bird Lake in Austin and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

Back in East Texas, the flame touched down at the George Bush Presidential Library on the west campus of Texas A&M University as the Games' honorary chairs, George and Barbara Bush, watched. Following a stop at the Spindletop Gladys Boomtown Museum in Beaumont, the torch traveled across the bay to Moody Gardens in Galveston.

The flame's final destination was a cauldron at the center of Discovery Green. Designed by Ward and Ames Special Events, the cauldron draws its form from the shooting stars that encircle the 2011 Senior Games logo. The six-foot-wide, 25-foot-tall bowl was engineered by Haynes Whaley Associates, Inc. and built of powder-coated steel by the Fretz Construction Company. After the Games' final relay, the structure will be donated to the City of Houston.

The original Olympic tradition of carrying the torch commemorates the theft of fire from the Greek gods. For the next two weeks, nearly 9,000 seniors from across America will prove that they've still got a fire inside.

Click here to learn more about the events associated with the Senior Games.

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it's about time

Astros and Rockets finally launch streaming service for Houston sports fans

Houston Astros/Facebook

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Houston sports fans finally have a way to watch their favorite teams without a cable or satellite subscription. Launched Wednesday, December 3, the Space City Home Network’s SCHN+ service allows consumers to watch the Houston Astros and Houston Rockets via iOS, Apple TV, Android, Amazon Fire TV, or web browser.

Available at SCHNPLUS.com, a subscription to SCHN+ allows sports fans to watch all Astros and Rockets games as well as behind-the-scenes features and other on-demand content. It’s priced at $19.99 per month or $199.99 annually (plus tax). People who watch Space City Network Network via their existing cable or satellite service will be able to access SCHN+ at no additional charge.

As the Houston Chronicle notes, the Astros and Rockets were the only MLB and NBA teams not to offer a direct-to-consumer streaming option.

“We’re thrilled to offer another great option to ensure fans have access to watch games, and the SCHN+ streaming app makes it easier than ever to cheer on the Rockets,” Rockets alternate governor Patrick Fertitta said in a statement. “Providing fans with a convenient way to watch their favorite teams, along with our network’s award-winning programming, was an essential addition. This season feels special, and we’re committed to exploring new ways to elevate our broadcasts for Rockets fans to enjoy.”

Astros owner Jim Crane echoed Feritta’s comments, adding, “Providing fans options on how they view our games is important as we continue to grow the game – we want to make it accessible to as large an audience as possible. We are looking forward to the 2026 season and more Astros fans watching our players compete for another championship.”

SCHN+ is available to customers in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and the following counties in New Mexico: Dona Ana, Eddy, Lea, Chaves, Roosevelt, Curry, Quay, Union and Debaca. Fans outside these areas will need to subscribe to the NBA and MLB out-of-market services.

The announcement couldn’t have come at a better time. Spurred by its offseason signing of superstar Kevin Durant and second-year guard Reed Sheppard, the Rockets are off to a strong, 13-5 start to the season that’s has them currently ranked third in the Western Conference.

The Astros are looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs in 2025. The experts at the Stone Cold Stros podcast predict the team will looking to add pitching to bolster its prospects for 2026.

houston astros houston rockets tv

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it's about time

Astros and Rockets finally launch streaming service for Houston sports fans